With some airlines now charging to put cases in their holds, John Lewis has introduced a free summer holiday capsule wardrobe service which aims to advise customers on how to pack all they need into their carry-on luggage. The service covers everything from suitcase selection to creating the perfect wardrobe for any holiday, from city break to romantic weekend. The trick is to use minimum pieces for maximum look, so my top packing tip, and I never thought I'd hear myself say this, is simplify things by cutting down on shoes. It really works. I see four clients a day, in whichever branch they need me, so at the moment I'm rushed off my feet.

Where would you rather be?

A little town called Malcesine on the shore of Lake Garda.

What's so special about it?

The lake, which is surrounded by snowcapped mountains, is an extraordinary shade of blue and when the mist rolls over it, the setting becomes really atmospheric. It's also a great base for day trips to Venice and Verona. And the food ... even the simplest pasta dishes taste out of this world.

What would you do there?

Take the cable car to Monte Baldo, Lake Garda's highest mountain. It's strange to be exploring cobbled streets one minute and then find yourself standing ankle deep in snow the next. I'd also drive to the nearby Soave and Valpolicella regions and sample the local produce.

Where would you stay?

The Bellevue San Lorenzo Hotel (Bellevue-sanlorenzo.it). It's popular with artists so the walls are covered in unusual drawings and paintings.

Who would you take with you?

My partner and my little girl.

What's the one place you'd like to see before you die?

The Giants Causeway in Ireland to see those huge basalt hexagons. I guess I'd have to pack something warm